HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWC Minutes 2017-11-14
DRAFT
TOWN OF ITHACA
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
November 14, 2017 9:00 a.m.
Public Works Facility
Board and Staff Present: Rod Howe, Rich DePaolo, TeeAnn Hunter, Mike Smith, Jim Weber,
Bill Goodman, Mike Solvig, Dan Thaete, Nick Goldsmith
1. Approval of Minutes:
Minutes from September 19, 2017 were approved. Motion to approve by Mr. DePaolo,
seconded by Ms. Hunter. Approved.
2. Member Comments / Concerns: None
a. Mr. Goodman added discussion regarding the sewer treatment plant. Mr. Weber
added additional project discussion, fleet replacement for 2018, Cayuga Meadows pavement
issues. The office walk-through was moved to after the meeting.
3. Discuss Park Maintenance Manager Job Description:
Mr. Howe indicated that he met with Rich Schoch regarding the correlation of the job
description and his position. Mr. Weber explained the timeframe for interviewing, hiring, and
training prior to retirement. Discussion was held regarding ratification of the chosen
candidate, the Interview Committee to include a Committee member, training, etc. The
Committee recommended no changes to the job description.
4. Tompkins County Consolidated Services Proposal, Street Lights:
Nick Goldsmith updated the Committee and has a meeting with the City on 11/15 regarding
financial impacts and involvement. The town can choose to make retrofit upgrades or finance
the upgrades for residents for five years. Payback is an estimated five years. If financing for
residents, the cost stays the same for residents for five years then there is a savings. The
cost of the lights at large would be spread out across town. Lighting district costs would vary
based on assessed valuation. $200,000 is the anticipated cost for the entire retrofit. Mr.
Weber brought up the subjects of pole rental and meters. Mr. Goldsmith said that we would
continue to pay a fee for the poles and that there will be no meters, but that he will know more
when the NYSEG proposal is received. The usage will be billed on an estimated basis, as it
is now. Mr. Goldsmith said that the NYSEG proposal is due by the end of December 2017.
The City is moving forward with a consultant and he will find out more information on 11/15
regarding maintenance fees and repair response times, if we choose to have the City
maintain. Mr. Goldsmith will provide updates as he receives them.
5. Project Updates:
Mr. Weber reported that the Contractor for the sanitary sewer project should be done
by the first week in December.
He informed the Committee that PWD is considering buying a cab and chassis and
utilizing the old equipment of the packer vehicle as opposed to purchasing a used
complete setup due to dependability concerns. Pricing is being explored.
Mr. Weber reported that he is not in a position to accept the road installed at Cayuga
Meadows due to quality issues regarding compaction and placement. He and Mr.
Thaete will discuss the issue and get a response letter to Mr. Goodman and Susan
Brock this week.
The water projects for the town are complete. The West Hill and South Hill Water
Study should be complete by mid to late December.
DRAFT
Mr. Weber reported that he has been informed of a cost increase due to rock. This is
a project where, a year ago, the City approached the town regarding the Renzetti
Place sewer. Based on the Interceptor Agreement, the City would need to get Town
Board approval prior to any cost increase. The Board would need to review and
approve or negotiate any cost increase.
6. Water Treatment Plant Discussion:
Mr. Goodman reported that he attended an Special Joint Committee regarding Capital
Projects involving grit removal, concrete restoration, emergency generator replacement, and
other plant improvements. The town is responsible for 40.88% of $435,000 (design + 5%
contingency). A Public Interest Order is required. Mr. Solvig stated that the total amount will
be bonded by the City and the town will pay their share.
7. Discussion on PW Admin Office Modifications & PW CIP and Office Walk Through:
The Committee discussed and agreed to bonding for the PW Fueling Station, PW Wash Bay,
and PW Administrative Office Addition projects together for 2019. The Committee did a walk
through the office area to gain awareness about the needs for administrative space due to
additional staff in 2018.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m., motioned by Ms. Hunter, seconded by Mr. DePaolo.
Our next meeting will be on 12/19 at 9:00 a.m.
lvp